The REALTOR®’s Guide to Being a Memorable Podcast Guest
We spoke to our REAL TIME podcast team for advice.
So, you want to be on a podcast?
These days it may seem like there’s a podcast to cover any topic, no matter how niche. With all that volume there’s one thing many hosts and producers need: great guests.
An excellent way to showcase expertise and grow your personal brand, being a guest on podcasts is something many REALTORS® may be considering as part of their marketing strategy.
Here at the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), we have our own podcast: REAL TIME, with host Shaun Majumder. With more than 60 episodes under our belt, we’ve had our fair share of guests. So, we’re putting together some tips for any microphone-inclined REALTORS® to use to become a great guest. And, near the end, we’ll give you the opportunity to pitch us on why you’d be a great guest on REAL TIME.
Start with a well-crafted pitch
At any given time, there are many podcasts in search of great guests. When researching podcasts, you may see forms or emails specifically to solicit pitches from interested guests. And, if you haven’t noticed them before, this is your sign to be on the lookout.
So, what makes a great pitch?
Clarity and perspective
Be very clear about what you’re an expert in. Being a generalist is not helpful when pitching yourself to most forms of media, including podcasts.
Examples:
Rather than being an expert in marketing, maybe you’re an expert in email marketing campaigns for Gen Z clients.
Rather than being an expert in management, maybe you’re an expert in how to create processes that allow for a work-life balance in a growing team.
Rather than being an expert in sales, maybe you’re an expert in managing multiple clients and transactions, as a team of one.
Whatever it is, be specific and tailor the topic(s) to the podcast you’re pitching to. We recommend sending your top three topics and a couple sentences for each, describing what you would say on the podcast if chosen as a guest. Keep it short but be descriptive – this shows you’re also able to communicate efficiently.
By being specific, you’re helping the decision maker understand what an episode with you would look like and how it could fit into their wider editorial calendar.
Support your statements with social proof
Where else have you expressed your views on these topics publicly?
Maybe it’s a blog, an op-ed in a local newspaper, social media, YouTube, or another podcast.
Wherever possible, provide links to public-facing content you’ve already been a part of. Make it easy for the person you’re pitching to; don’t make them go looking for your online footprint. They will want to see any relevant social proof either way, providing it up front makes you look prepared, professional, and serious about being a guest.
Don’t have many relevant examples yet? That’s a great place to start!
Tailor your message
The fastest way to get crossed off the list of potential guests is to pitch an angle off brand for that specific podcast. Do your research as you might for a job interview to understand what types of guests and topics a podcast usually has, their tone, their niche(s), and their format.
In that same thread, make sure you’re pitching to podcasts that align with your own brand and values. You’ll get better results and it will be easier to be a good guest, because you’re genuinely a great fit.
You’re there to provide value, not to sell
As tempting as it might be, podcasts are typically not the place to be explicitly selling your services. Being a guest is most often about sharing your personal brand and showcasing your expertise. In a wrap-around sort of way, this could in fact lead to future clients. But it’s not the place to put on a strong sell.
With that in mind, you want to limit the ‘hard sell’ narrative in both the pitching and the guest phase.
You’re a guest! Now what?
You mastered your pitch and now you’re booked on a podcast!
Podcasts are diverse in how they manage preparation for an episode. For some, you may get a lot of support in terms of what’s expected, preparation calls with the host, a list of questions, and/or a tech setup to help you look and sound professional. For others, its normal to have minimal prep or support ahead of time. And, in the instance you’re recording in-person, try to give yourself a pre-recording buffer to get settled, equipped, and acquainted with the space.
Regardless of which end of the spectrum you’re on, you’ll want to make sure you do your own prep to ensure a seamless experience. Here’s how you can maximize the opportunity, and chances of being a guest on more podcasts moving forward.
Know your topic inside and out
The first thing you should do is make sure you’re crystal clear on your main message for the episode. We recommend you prepare your own talking points whether the podcast requires them or not, including specific anecdotes you want to mention. Once the conversation gets going it’s easy to lose track of the stories or facts you wanted to share, and the specific examples are what audiences love to hear and provide the most value.
Even if its not required, being prepared will make the recording session go smoother and leave a great impression on the host, other members of the podcast team, and ultimately, the audience.
Unsure? Ask questions
Really, this goes for any stage of the process. Even during the pitching phase. If you’re unsure, you can, and we encourage you to, ask questions about what the host or podcast team is looking for.
Once you’re a confirmed guest you can also ask questions about ‘no-fly’ topics that the host or producers want to avoid if you’re concerned your topic may encroach on sensitive subject matter. Ultimately, communication is key.
Set yourself up for success!
You may receive a setup checklist from the podcast team. If you don’t, here’s some general tips that we tell all our guests on the REAL TIME podcast If you’re recording in-person, a lot of this will already be taken care of.
- Lighting: choose natural light whenever possible. If it’s not, make sure you’re in a well-lit spot.
- Location: setup for the recording in a quiet spot. If there’s a video component, try to choose a spot with a minimal backdrop. If its not possible to have a minimal backdrop, make sure there’s nothing you don’t want captured on video, behind you.
- Sound: do a sound check before you start! Show up early so that the podcast team can help troubleshoot, if necessary.
- Be plugged in: make sure your computer is plugged-in and, if possible, connect to an ethernet cable. This will reduce the chances dramatically of an unplanned drop-off.
- Clothing: wear something that avoids loud patterns, like stripes, and logos. The best outfits are comprised of solid colours. Try to avoid wearing a colour too similar to your backdrop. Also, make sure that none of your accessories make sound. Bangles, watches, earrings, long necklaces… these could all make noise that gets picked up by a microphone and can be distracting in the final podcast recording.
- Close tabs: be sure to close all unnecessary tabs and programs on your computer and turn off all notifications. This will help your internet speed remain strong and avoid unplanned interruptions.
- Don’t forget to silence your phone as well!
Clear, concise, confident
Ok, it’s time to record.
If you’re well prepared and in the right set up, it should be easy to be confident and clear. Try to keep any stories concise, and not to ramble. It’s usually best to speak just a bit slower than you think you should to make sure that the audio is clear to any listener.
Most podcasts are not recorded live, and many are edited in post-production. If you feel an answer went off the rails or didn’t reflect what you wanted to say accurately, it’s OK to ask the host or podcast team if you can try again. While you don’t want to be doing this for every answer it’s important to know if it’s a potential option.
Finally, if you’re being recorded on video, make sure you’re aware of how you look on camera. That means, if you’re recording virtually, look at the camera lens and not the person on your screen. Both virtually and in-person, avoid excessive or out-of-frame movements or gestures, and be cognizant of your resting face. Facial expressions will be captured regardless of if it was a conscious response or not!
Now you’re ready!
Well, that was a lot to take in. We hope these tips were helpful to you.
Looking to put them to the test? We’ve included our own REAL TIME podcast pitching submission form for REALTORS® interested in being a guest on our show.
Hosted by Canadian comedian and actor Shaun Majumder, we’re looking for REALTORS® who have a unique point of view of the industry, life experience that’s helped you succeed (especially if it’s unexpected), real estate-adjacent expertise in subjects you can talk about for days, or specific lifestyle interests’ other REALTORS® might benefit from.
Even if we don’t accept your pitch right away, we keep all interested REALTORS® in mind for future episodes or opportunities to share their expertise in other ways.
